Join us for parenting conference

I'm thrilled to announce that MomsMiami will once again be sponsoring the It Takes A Village parenting conference this fall in Pembroke Pines.

Local organizer and host Maggie Macaulay of Whole Hearted Parenting has pulled together a roster of speakers around the theme of "Celebrating our Uniqueness."

That breaks down into topics including sexuality and gender identity, adoption, the unique experience of children of color and more in supporting our children. But the conference will also focus on taking care of ourselves - finding the joy in parenting, living your core values, finding peace.

A real live teenager will offer insight into what kids today are thinking. Can't wait for that one.

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"We are all unique. Seeing and embracing our uniqueness (that we are each special) is one of the six needs of children and of all of us really," Macaulay said.

I'm looking forward to this as a mom who was naively surprised to realize how different my two daughters are in personality - and how I need to embrace and nurture them each uniquely.

The conference is a fast-paced, engaging series of talks that go beyond the surface of a parent's everyday struggles. Last year, I walked away with a notebook full of actionable tips. I'm excited about this year's topics.

It's happening 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 12 at Florida Technical College, 12520 Pines Blvd. in Pembroke Pines. Tickets are $30 a person or $50 a couple. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. There are also post-conference activities, including lunch, a nature walk and yoga. Learn more about the speakers and buy tickets at villageconference.com.

Some proceeds from the conference will be used to underwrite two weekend courses for LGBT youth in Broward County through SunServe, a nonprofit organization in Fort Lauderdale.

Hope to see you at It Takes a Village. We'll be writing more about related topics until then.

Meanwhile, Maggie has an email newsletter that is always full of insightful parenting advice. Sign up here.